Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, says the government will ensure that Amandi, contractor for the expansion and remodelling of Terminal Two at the Accra International Airport, meets the July completion deadline.

“We are going to hold the contractor to the contract timelines so that by the end of July, this facility should be ready for the dual purpose that we intend to use it for,” he said, commending the company for the steady progress made so far.

Mr Nikpe gave the assurance on Wednesday during a working visit to the airport to inspect the progress of work on the Terminal Two remodelling project.

He was accompanied by officials of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and airline operators.

The Minister said the project formed part of Government’s broader vision to modernise the country’s aviation infrastructure and position Ghana’s main international gateway among the best airports in the sub-region and across Africa.

He explained that when completed, Terminal Two would serve a dual role as both a domestic and international terminal, providing additional capacity and improved services for travellers.

Mr Nikpe said the Government had also reserved space within the project area for the construction of a connecting concourse and passenger bridges to link Terminals Two and Three to facilitate seamless passenger movement within the airport.

He said the planned connection would eliminate the need for passengers making transit connections to exit the airport and re-enter through another terminal.

“No passenger will be brought here and have to go outside the airport again before connecting to another flight. We will have the connecting concourse and bridges to facilitate smooth movement,” he said.

Mr Nikpe noted that the government was working closely with airline operators in the development process and had invited them to inspect the facility to provide feedback on areas that might require improvement.

He assured the airlines that the government valued their partnership and would continue to engage them to ensure the upgraded terminal met international operational standards.

The Minister said some airlines would be relocated to Terminal Two once the renovation works were completed.

He said the government was determined to make the aviation sector one of the key areas to support economic growth and enhance Ghana’s connectivity to the rest of the world.

Responding to concerns about taxes in the aviation sector, Mr. Nikpe said the Airport Development Levy would be used to finance infrastructure improvements at the airport.

He explained that some critical infrastructure at the airport, including the sewage system, had not undergone major renovation for more than two decades and required urgent attention.

“We need to raise the revenue and use it judiciously to improve our facilities and serve passengers better,” he said.

Touching on regulatory compliance in the aviation sector, Mr Nikpe said operators working with the GACL must strictly adhere to licensing and contractual requirements.

He warned that Government reserved the right to revoke contracts where operators failed to meet the terms of their agreements.

Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, Managing Director of the GACL, said the renovation of Terminal Two would significantly enhance passenger experience and boost traffic through the airport.

She said that improved facilities, combined with better customer service, would encourage more travellers to pass through Ghana’s main international airport.

“When facilities are improved, it boosts the confidence of passengers and encourages them to travel through your airport,” she said.

Mrs Opare said that the project would address structural defects, leakages and other infrastructure challenges that had affected the terminal over the years.

She expressed confidence that the upgrade would strengthen Ghana’s ambition to become a major aviation hub in the sub-region.